On the other side of the tunnel at Praia da Poça, you’ll find this tiny take-away spot where poké bowls rule the menu. Poké na Praia opened on July 3rd, the brainchild of Rob Hornman, a 57-year-old Dutch national who’s been living in Portugal for a decade.
“After an international career in hospitality, I retired from corporate life and decided to launch a new business around healthy food concepts,” he tells Time Out Cascais. “Food concepts that can work in small shops like this one, but also make sense in a delivery format.”
The 30-square-metre space comes with a tiny outdoor terrace, featuring a handful of bench seats and a counter with room for around a dozen people. “It was an opportunity. I found the place and fell in love with it – and with the location,” says Rob Hornman. “The spot itself inspired the concept for Poké na Praia – being so close to the beach, it would’ve been a shame not to make that one of its main strengths. Maybe if I’d done a market study I’d have chosen another location, but I trust my instinct and believe in love at first sight.”
There are four signature poké bowl combos to choose from – those refreshing Hawaiian-style salad bowls that have become a global hit, and fit in perfectly with beach life in Portugal. You start by picking a base – sushi rice or quinoa– and a protein, which can be tuna, salmon, or Portobello mushrooms marinated in soy.
The Mellow bowl features avocado, pineapple, edamame, cucumber, crispy onions, spring onions, coconut and a miso dressing; the Fresh comes with avocado, mango, green apple, coriander, red onion, walnuts and a yuzu-miso sauce; the Zesty includes avocado, orange, edamame, cucumber, wakame seaweed, peanuts and a tangy yuzu-tahini dressing; and, for those who like a bit of heat, the spicy Tangy bowl brings together avocado, physalis, wakame, red onion, pickled ginger, furikake seasoning and a punchy sriracha-ponzu sauce.
All bowls are €13.90, with the option to add extras like mini skewers of salmon, tuna or Portobello mushrooms (€5); a bowl of edamame (€2); or sides like marinated cucumber or wakame salad (€3). They also serve açaí bowls (€3.50) and fruit salad (€4.50) – perfect for a beach snack. Wash it all down with fresh fruit juices.
“Our culinary concept was developed by incredibly talented Portuguese chefs with international experience in high-calibre restaurants,” says Hornman. “We wanted to create something high-quality and truly distinctive.”
The Dutch entrepreneur adds that he’s already working on more ideas set to be unveiled soon. “We’re developing a portfolio of premium healthy food concepts, specifically designed for the delivery market – pairing thoughtful menus with strong, recognisable brands.”
Rua J A Ferreira, 18, Estoril. 11.30-20.30. 910 393 398